Scabbard's Song (Book 3 of The Red Pavillions) by Kim Hunter
pub: Orbit/Times Warner. 330 page enlarged paperback. Price: £10.99 (UK), $19.99 (CAN). ISBN: 0-84149-187-X) (pub: Orbit. 409 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK), $10.99 (CAN). ISBN: 1-84149-240-X .

check out website: www.OrbitBooks.co.uk and www.TimeWarnerBooks.co.uk

This is the third and final book of Kim Hunter's 'Red Pavilions' saga and appears to be the most tightly written and engaging of the three.

There is more consistency and speed than in the first two, characters appear more well-rounded and readers are finally given answers to questions posed in book one. Following a similar formula to the events in the previous titles, the main character, who is known only as Soldier, is once again given quests to undertake, complete with worthwhile risks and encounters with both friend and foe.

The first of these is to finally recover the scabbard to his 'named' sword. The sword has been with Soldier since he appeared in his adopted homeland of Zamerkand with no idea of who he was or where he came from, but the other piece of his identity was still missing. When Soldier regains possession of the scabbard, he at last finds out who he really is and the mysteries of his past.

The scabbard sings to him of war and bloodshed even worse than that he has encountered since becoming commander of the Red Pavilions mercenary troops. There is also the discovery that Soldier was not the only stranger with blue eyes to suddenly appear in this strange land. But he is not the only one who is missing memories and that leads to the second mission of the book.

This time to find three objects - the answers to three riddles - which will enable priests to perform a ceremony to restore the memories of his wife, Queen Layana of Zamerkand. More answers to the past are gradually uncovered as well as a few surprises, both fortunate and unfortunate. Meanwhile, the wizard Ixonnoxl, successor to the wizard throne is in hiding against his uncle, but the time for hiding is over.

A final battle must be played out against the backdrop of Soldier's own personal war of vengeance and destiny. This is an exciting climax to a trilogy that definitely takes time to capture the reader's attention. The final resolution of Soldier's mystery and destiny is satisfying and rather clever, with close attention to details and loose ends left over from the previous books.

Having read these first two volumes, it was certainly interesting to follow Soldier's adventures to their conclusion. If you read the first two, it is worthwhile reading this to finish the saga and finally have the lingering questions surrounding 'Soldier' answered.

Laura Kayne

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